Mexborough & Swinton Times — Saturday, 26 July 1924

Wath Athletic v. Denaby and Cadeby

Greenwood’s Grim Defence Saves Denaby

There were many thrills in the last few minutes of the game at Wath last Saturday, when Denaby were the visitors. The match being set apart for Len Cutts’s benefit. After compiling 175 runs for the loss of nine wickets, the Athletic declared. Denaby, in responding, lost five wickets for 62, and eight for 79. When Temple went on to bowl in the last few minutes the visitors’ wickets fell rapidly, and but for the strategy of Greenwood—the first man in, who manoeuvred for the bowling at the critical stage and enabled the visitors to make a draw.

There was a capital attendance when Cyril Turner and T. Harris were opposed the Wath innings against the bowling of Poole and Shoosmith. In the latter’s first over, his first ball dislodged the bails as Turner played forward. Len Cutts met with a hearty reception as he went to the wicket. He got Shoosmith round to square leg for 4, and a single. The beneficiary opened brightly, and 30 appeared after half an hour’s play. Shoosmith gave place to Greenwood, but the rate of scoring was maintained, 60 being hoisted after 40 minutes’ play.

With the score at 70 Crossley went on for Greenwood, who displaced Poole at the opposite end. With his score at 23, Cutts gave a hard chance at point. When Hargraves was within four of his 50 he endeavoured to get Greenwood round to leg but placed the ball in the slips, and was caught by Crossley (2 for 76). His score included eight 4’s.

With Cutts and Morris together, the former opened his shoulders to Crossley, and scored a couple of 4’s, a 2, and a single in one over. At 90 Soar superseded Greenwood, Cutts increasing the home score to 100 five minutes later. Tibbles, in attempting to stop a hot drive from Cutts, split the web of the fingers of his right hand, and was compelled to retire.

Only seven runs had been added when Morris was caught by Harrison in negotiating a hard drive. Sleight joined Cutts, who had now made the same score as Hargraves. He completed his half-century by driving Crossley for 4. With the score at 122, Sleight was caught by Robinson. When Cutts appeared well set, he played on to his wicket from Poole, five wickets being down for 145. Cutts had batted for an hour and 25 minutes, and only gave one chance while compiling his 60 runs.

With Ross and Swinburne together, the former increased the score to 170, while his partner only made a single. Ross appeared like making his 50, when Shoosmith took another turn with the ball, Ross falling to Poole from an easy catch. Johnson joined Swinburne, and it was pleasing to see the Wath youngster set about the visitors’ bowling. They carried the score to 190. Maxein and Temple put on 15 runs, and the Wath captain declared.

Denaby were set an impossible task with the time at their disposal, and it seemed equally difficult to dismiss them in the time. If all the chances, however, had been taken, the Athletic would have had an easy victory.

Narroway was beaten all the way by [unclear] with the score at 8, and two runs later Shoosmith fell to the same bowler. Pattison and Greenwood increased the visitors’ total to 48 when Hargraves claimed the former’s wicket. With only four more runs added, Crossley was leg before to the same bowler, and four wickets were down for 52.

With G. L. Robinson and Greenwood together, and the latter playing all the home bowlers with ease, Temple went on to bowl. He beat Robinson with the score at 62. Tibbles at 61 and Foster at 68 claiming three wickets for 3 runs at this point. In fairness to Tibbles, however, it must be said that he was suffering from the effects of his injured hand.

At 68 Ross went on to bowl vice [unclear], and Cutts was also given a turn, capturing Soar’s wicket. In the last few overs excitement ran high. In the last over but one Temple was again requisitioned and from his first delivery Poole was smartly taken in the slips by Cyril Turner.

The Denaby captain came in, and safely played through the last over. Greenwood was the hero of the side, and came in for an ovation at the close.

Scores:—

Wath Athletic v Denaby

Result: Wath Athletic declared at 228 for 9 wickets; Denaby finished on 95 for 9 wickets